Green Bay Packers: Ted Thompson’s free agency hits and misses

Jan 5, 2014; Green Bay, WI, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback

(7) runs with the ball as Green Bay Packers inside linebacker

(59) attempts to tackle during the first quarter of the 2013 NFC wild card playoff football game at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

Miss: Re-signing Brad Jones

Dec 21, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; Green Bay Packers inside linebacker Brad Jones (59) prior to the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

While Brad Jones’ only NFL team is the Green Bay Packers, it was his re-signing in 2013 that makes him a free agent miss.

Jones was a seventh-round draft choice in 2009. He was re-signed to a three-year, $11.25 million deal just two years ago.

In 2013, he had arguably the best season of his career with 84 combined tackles, three sacks and a forced fumble in his 12 games.

However, his struggles in the defense accelerated in 2014. Making just one start from his 13 appearances, Jones registered just 18 combined tackles, one pass defense and zero sacks.

Jones’s 2014 will be remembered mostly for his costly penalties, giving up five flags in the regular season – the other inside linebackers combined for just two.

In the postseason, it was his error that alerted the Seahawks to attempt a fake-field goal; the rest is history.

For a seventh-round pick in 2009, Jones had a decent spell in Green Bay.

Despite that, re-signing the linebacker to a double digit contract in 2013 was a free agency ‘miss’ for Ted Thompson.

Next: A 2014 home run...